Ms. Ebi Bright, the Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), has paid a courtesy visit to the Tema Traditional Council, giving the assurance that she will uphold and promote the culture of the people of Tema.
The MCE’s visit to the council marks a significant step in her term of office, as the traditional council, before her nomination, called on President John Dramani Mahama to nominate a Tema native to occupy the position.
Ms. Bright stated that meeting the council has put her at rest as the MCE, noting that she perfectly understood why the council wanted an indigenous person, as they have their fears of what would happen to their traditions and customs.
She said: “I am Ga-Dangme; I am from Prampram, Ada and Somanya. We have accepted the others, but it does not mean that ours should get lost. I am standing here as a child of Ga-Dangme and will do all in my power to honour and respect the stool.”
She added that Tema was not about natives or strangers, but rather, “about who is in Tema and what we have to show off to the world, the key being our culture and traditions.”
She added that the public and residents must acknowledge that Tema goes beyond a local government location, as the place is under the Tema Stool, stating that “you will hear of me taking you from here into town; they must hear of the influence of the stool in every social aspect.”
According to her, there was misinformation in Tema and the general public that the council’s request for an indigene was because they do not want her as the MCE.
She said: “Some people feel that maybe Ebi Bright is why they said they don’t want a non-indigene. And I know some of the things that happened were not sanctioned by the traditional council. We will do our work well and show them the kind of relationship we have.”
The first female MCE further said: “I always come here for my traditional prayers before I embark on my campaign. It’s about our performance and relationship under my administration. I will do my best to bring honour to the Tema stool and glory to the president and all in the metropolis.
Nii Amarh Somponu II, the Tema Shipi and Stool Secretary, noted that the people of Tema do not hold any personal grudges against Ms. Bright, adding that the brouhaha which preceded the nomination and confirmation was an advocacy that they had been embarked on since 2000.
He said: “She happened to be in the crossfire between the people of Tema and the government. It is a challenge that she has to accept, and we gave the reasons for asking for an indigen, and I am sure she is aware of the concerns we raise; she has to vindicate Mahama for choosing her.”
He gave the assurance that they would not put any bottlenecks in her way, as they would accord her the necessary cooperation to ensure she succeeded in the position to develop them.
Nii Adjetey Agbo II, the Mankralo and Acting President of the Tema Traditional Council, expressed the hope that the MCE would fulfil the promises made to the council and people of Tema, adding that they would collaborate and bring their challenges to her knowledge.
GNA
